As winter approaches, it is important to consider ways in which this season impacts your health.
For many people, winter is a time of hibernation, indulgence and snow.
The sedentary lifestyle encouraged by a frigid outdoor environment combined with the demands of snow removal can leave you feeling sore.
Winter is a great season for snowmen, sledding, family time and, unfortunately, back pain.
Guard yourself against the following winter threats to have a fun, pain-free season.
Hibernation While some people get their best workouts when the cold comes by skiing or snowboarding, most people don't have the time or money.
People who usually stay fit by participating in outdoor activities like walking, jogging or hiking tend to take winters off.
Nobody can be expected to run on ice or shiver through a brutal outdoor walk, but it is necessary to find ways to exercise indoors when the outdoors get too rough.
Cardiovascular workouts can be pursued in many ways indoors.
Moving your walk from the neighborhood to a shopping center or indoor track can keep your heart and lungs healthy.
These walks are, admittedly, less aesthetically pleasing than being outside, but if walking is your choice of exercise, this is a fairly simple alternative.
If you are used to more intense cardio workouts, such as running or cycling, you may want to consider purchasing a workout machine for your home.
Perusing eBay or Amazon.
com will assure you get the best deal.
Also, be sure to read customer product reviews.
Cardio machines can range from $30.
00 to many hundreds based on complexity.
Swimming is an excellent workout, both for strength-training and cardiovascular exercise.
Look in your area for a free or inexpensive indoor pool.
Perhaps the cheapest option for indoor cardio is the classic jump rope.
If you have back pain to begin with, this would not be the workout for you; jumping rope is jarring to the spine.
Snow Removal A reduction in cardiovascular health translates to a reduction of muscular health.
To perform at their peak, muscles need nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood flow.
Being sedentary reduces blood flow, and a lack of cardiovascular strength limits the amount of oxygen available to the muscles for work.
When vulnerable muscles are faced with the task of snow removal, back pain is a very common result.
The classic shovel design does not make things easier.
Even if your cardio health is impeccable, shoveling snow can leave you with a back injury.
Ergonomic shovels are now on the market designed with angled handles to facilitate a more erect posture while shoveling.
Some have a grip on the handle that allows you to use both arms to lift and unload the shovel.
Yet these shovels still tax one side of the body more than the other.
More ergonomic designs include a handlebar that allows you to use both arms to push while standing up straight.
A good push shovel can be purchased for under $40.
00.
If you're looking for something a little more interesting - and pricey - check out the Wovel, a shovel designed with a wheel to make pushing easier.
If you have more than $200 to invest in back health this winter, consider purchasing a snow blower.
This eliminates the strain placed on the back while lifting and emptying a typical shovel.
It is easy to feel sluggish as it grows dark earlier and the cold drives you inside.
While spirits may be down and motivation low during the winter, remember that being active can have positive effects on your mood and energy level.
Don't let the cold and the snow weigh on your health.
Keep moving and pay attention to ergonomics to avoid back pain this winter.
For many people, winter is a time of hibernation, indulgence and snow.
The sedentary lifestyle encouraged by a frigid outdoor environment combined with the demands of snow removal can leave you feeling sore.
Winter is a great season for snowmen, sledding, family time and, unfortunately, back pain.
Guard yourself against the following winter threats to have a fun, pain-free season.
Hibernation While some people get their best workouts when the cold comes by skiing or snowboarding, most people don't have the time or money.
People who usually stay fit by participating in outdoor activities like walking, jogging or hiking tend to take winters off.
Nobody can be expected to run on ice or shiver through a brutal outdoor walk, but it is necessary to find ways to exercise indoors when the outdoors get too rough.
Cardiovascular workouts can be pursued in many ways indoors.
Moving your walk from the neighborhood to a shopping center or indoor track can keep your heart and lungs healthy.
These walks are, admittedly, less aesthetically pleasing than being outside, but if walking is your choice of exercise, this is a fairly simple alternative.
If you are used to more intense cardio workouts, such as running or cycling, you may want to consider purchasing a workout machine for your home.
Perusing eBay or Amazon.
com will assure you get the best deal.
Also, be sure to read customer product reviews.
Cardio machines can range from $30.
00 to many hundreds based on complexity.
Swimming is an excellent workout, both for strength-training and cardiovascular exercise.
Look in your area for a free or inexpensive indoor pool.
Perhaps the cheapest option for indoor cardio is the classic jump rope.
If you have back pain to begin with, this would not be the workout for you; jumping rope is jarring to the spine.
Snow Removal A reduction in cardiovascular health translates to a reduction of muscular health.
To perform at their peak, muscles need nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood flow.
Being sedentary reduces blood flow, and a lack of cardiovascular strength limits the amount of oxygen available to the muscles for work.
When vulnerable muscles are faced with the task of snow removal, back pain is a very common result.
The classic shovel design does not make things easier.
Even if your cardio health is impeccable, shoveling snow can leave you with a back injury.
Ergonomic shovels are now on the market designed with angled handles to facilitate a more erect posture while shoveling.
Some have a grip on the handle that allows you to use both arms to lift and unload the shovel.
Yet these shovels still tax one side of the body more than the other.
More ergonomic designs include a handlebar that allows you to use both arms to push while standing up straight.
A good push shovel can be purchased for under $40.
00.
If you're looking for something a little more interesting - and pricey - check out the Wovel, a shovel designed with a wheel to make pushing easier.
If you have more than $200 to invest in back health this winter, consider purchasing a snow blower.
This eliminates the strain placed on the back while lifting and emptying a typical shovel.
It is easy to feel sluggish as it grows dark earlier and the cold drives you inside.
While spirits may be down and motivation low during the winter, remember that being active can have positive effects on your mood and energy level.
Don't let the cold and the snow weigh on your health.
Keep moving and pay attention to ergonomics to avoid back pain this winter.
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